CLEAVENGER, JACK MONROE AND DONNA BELLE CRAWFORD

by Mary Cleavenger Elliott

Entry F75 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Jack Monroe Cleavenger was born Septem-
ber 4, 1916 to Charles Edward Cleavenger
and Mary Ann (Mayme) Totten Cleavenger.
His wife Donna Belle Crawford was born July
30, 1915 in Little River, Kansas to Daniel
Crawford and Katie Florence (Sellers) Craw-
ford.

Jack is a graduate of Mullen High School,
Class of 1934. He drove a truck for his father
for several years before attending the Univer-
sity of Nebraska in 1940. He entered the
service in 1942 and was stationed in San
Diego, California until he was sent overseas.
He was stationed in Tunis, Tunisia for 4 years
in the Coast Artillery. He had an honorable
discharge in 1945 and finished his college
education at the University of Nebraska.
Jack and Donna were married May 26, 1946
in Little River, Kansas. After graduation
from the University in 1948 Jack worked in
the office of the State Auditor Ray Johnson.
In 1951 he worked for the Board of Control,
which later became The Dept. of Public
Institutions, in charge of their budget and
accounting. He served as Ass't. Director for
the Dept of Public Institutions in 1962 and
later served as The Director until his retire-
ment in 1981.

Jack's wife Donna grew up in Little River,
Kansas. Her father Daniel, was a rural mail
carrier, did some barbering and had a small
farm. Donna attended Kansas State Univer-
sity and after graduation she taught school.
She served as a Lt. in the Waves during
World War Two before she and Jack were
married. She has worked for the Nebraska
State Legislature for several years during
their sessions.

Jack and Donna have three children and
one grandaughter. Their oldest daughter
Donja Kay was born 1948. She is
a graduate of The University of Nebraska and
taught school for three years in North Platte,
Nebraska. She entered the Navy and is a Lt.
Commander stationed in San Diego, Califor-
nia. She is married to Richard Stephensen
and has a four year old daughter. Jim
Monroe, Jack and Donna's son was born
1950 and at present is manager
of Systems Development and Co-ordination
for Metmor Financial Inc. in Los Angeles,
California, traveling all over the United
States. Delores Faye, their youngest daughter
was born 1953. She is a graduate
of the University of Nebraska and at present
teaches fourth grade in the Bellview Nebras-
ka school system.

Jack and Donna's home is in Lincoln,
Nebraska. They are both retired and are
doing some traveling.